Refrigerating system



Jan. l2, 1932. G.,coPEMAN REFRIGERATNG SYSTEM Filed March 27, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet Ixll rhnl

R. w m m LLOYD G. COPE/MN.

ATTORNEYS Jan. 12, 1932. G CQPEMAN 1,840,619

REFRIGERATING SYSTEM Filed March 27, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f I INVENToR Y L1. oro G. CoPEM/m.

ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 12, 1932 UNITED STATES 'PATENT OFFICE LLOYD G. COPEMAN, FLIN'T, MICHIGAN, ASSIG-NOR T0 COPEMAN= LABORATORIES COMPANY, OIF FLINT, MICHIGAN, A. CORPORATION F MICHIGAN REFRIGERATING SYSTEM Application led March 27, 1931. Serial No. 525,786.

rThis invention relates to a refrigerating system, and particularly to a novel method and apparatus for utilizing solidified CO2 or similar substances as a refrigerating medium and source of power. This application is a continuation in part of my application Serial No. 496.845, filed November 20, 1930.

Thepresent invention is an improvement over that disclosed in my prior application in that it relates more particularly to the c0ol ing` of a relatively large body of brine and the manner in Which this brine is circulated to obtain a more efficient refrigeration thereby. More specifically'the present invention resides in using a surplus of evaporated CO2 gas over that required to effect circulation of the refrigerating medium. In other Words, the gist of the present invention resides in greater and more eiiicient circulation Which directly results in a more efcient transfer of heat units and the obtaining of a regulable vbut extremely cold body of refrigerating medium surrounding or forming a part of the cooling unit.

Other features reside in the particular form of agitating means for the relatively large body vof brine Which may be maintained'at relatively low temperatures by the system, and the manner in which circulation of the refrigerating medium is obtained together with the noveluse of practically all the CO2 evaporated from the solid body of CO2.

In the drawings: l

Fig'l is a vertical sectional view of one form of refrigerating unit embodying the present invention. 'i

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of` a portion of one form of pump which may be utilized for circulating the refrigerant.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View of a modified form of refrigerating unit embodying the present invention.

Fig. 4 isl an enlarged fragmentaryview of a portion of one of the pump units utilized for circulatingT the refrigerant in aunit such as shown in Fig. 3.

One of the important features of the preseut invention resides inthe'novel combination of the refrigerant producing means or What might be termed broadly the refrigerating REISSUED `dipping tank 8 and a solid CO2 container 4.

This container 4 may, if desired', be perforated so that the brine may circulate directly around the solid CO2; but I prefer to have this container 4 imperforate and surrounded with a brine container-5.

A substantially constant body of brine is adapted to be maintained Within this container 5 and of course, is in direct heat conductingA relation with the CO2 container 4. The body of brine in the container 5 may bel conducted to and have a refrigerating effect upon the body of brine 6 in the dipping tank by means of a coil 7 which encircles the tank 3 and isypositioned in heat conducting relation thereto. This coil 7 terminates in one or more conduits 8 which preferably extend vertically up through Ithe body of brine in the tank 5.

A conduit 9 is adapted to conduct the evapl' orated CO2 gas and direct the same into the coil or coils 8 in a manner which is more clearly illustrated in Fig. 2. This conduit 9 may have a series of laterally extending apertures 10 therein for the discharge of the CO2 gases into the brine Within the'conduit 8. It will be obvious that these gases may be discharged into the refrigerant Within the conduit 8 in various different Waysbut the effect is to cause positive circulation of the refrigerant -by the injection' of the CO2 gases. The refrigerant within the conduit 8 Will be made to positively rise and be discharged out the top of the conduit as at 11 and replenish the supply of brine Within the container 5. This positive circulation Will, of course, cause 'the cold brine surrounding the CO2 conlo flow of CO2 and circulation of brine may be automatically accelerated or retarded in case a predetermined temperature is desired within the dipping tank.

It will be obvious here'that as circulation of the brine or other refrigerating mediuml through the coils is retarded that the temperature of the brine within the container' 5 will also rise thus permitting 4more rapid evaporation of the solid, CO2 with the result that as the thermostat or other unit causes reopening of the valve immediate and efiicient cooling of the brine,- as it circulates around the container 4, is obtained.

The surplus evaporated gas over that required to cause circulation of the brine Within the circulatin conduits may be conducted through a suitable conduit 13 and into the brine 6 within the di )ping tank. The passage of this surplus O2 through the brine will not only'assist in cooling and agitating the same, but the escaping CO2 from the dipping tank will be beneficial in the preserving ofmeats and the like which might be stored in positions adjacent the cooling unit.

-The circulating coils 7 are preferably embedded in the mass of plastically applied stone or other material 14 having relatively good hold-over and conductive properties. This stone also preferably surrounds the container 4 5 although I prefer to provide a lining of in sulating material immediately around thel container 5 whereby the relatively low temperature [within the container' 5 may be maintained independently of the temperature within the dipping tank. It will be obvious that this stone or similar material will provide a very `effective hold-over for the dipping tank and thus materially reduce the evaporation of the solid CO2 to maintain the required temperatures and also hold the dippingtank to` a relatively low temperature in case the supply of solid CO;2 should be temporarily eX- hausted. c

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 3, I

preferably utilize a tank similar to that shown in Fig. 1 and broadly designated 20. This tank may be suitably insulated as at 21 and also provided with a lining 22 of stone orsimilar -naterial having good hold-over and conductive properties. In the case of this particular modification the container 23 for holding. the charge of solidified CO2 is preferably immersed ldirectly inthe refrigerating medium forming a part of the dipping tank or. similar refrigerating unit. i

The top of this container 23 is, of course, sealed by means of the cover 24 and this cover may be provided with a suitable relief valve 25. An enlarged conduit 26 surrounds the lower end of the container 23 and the lower end of this conduit 26 terminates in one'or more entrances 27 which form the mouth oi the circulating conduit or conduits 28.

conduit 29 may be provided for conducting the evaporated CO.-l from the container 23 through the circulating conduit or conduits 28 and a suitable valve 30 may be provided for this conduit 29 whereby to con- 'trol the flow of gas through the conduit 29.

It will be understood that this valve 30 may be connected to any suitable thermostat or other control means (not shown) whereby the valve may be opened or closed to accelerate or retard the flow of gas through the conduit 29 in accordance with the temperature of the dipping tank or other refrigerating unit.

I preferably utilize a plurality of conduits 28 and these conduits also preferably eX- tend along the bottom of the dipping tank 3l and then substantially vertically as at 32 so that the ends of the conduits 28 discharge at the top and far side of the tank relative to the container 23. It will be understood that the discharging portions 32 of the conduit 28 may be exactly vertical as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 or slightly inclined as Shown in solid lines in Fig. 3. The important point here however, is the fact that suchl discharging `portions l32 are substantially vertical whereby the circulating brine or other refrigerating medium is easily circulated and discharged without the necessity pi passing through numerous bends and the The end of the conduit 29 preferably terminates Within the vertical portion 32 of the conduits 28 and such end of the conduit 29 may be provided with a plurality of apertures 33 for the4 discharge of the evaporated C()2 gas into the brine to cause positive circulation thereof.v

By using a relatively large number of 'cir' culating conduits 28 and a relatively large supply of evaporated C()2 gas, it will be obvious that the refrigerant or brine 31 will be drawn downwardlyaround the container 23 and into the enlarged mouth 26. Direct conductivity between the contents of the container 23 and the surrounding brine is thus obtained and as this device causes positive and rapid circulation of the brine it will be seen that a rapid heat transfer is obtained by the brine wiping the surfaces of the container 23, This cool brine is pushed or drawn through the circulating conduits 28 and discharged at the top of the tank to be again circulated. The temperature of the brine within the dipping tank 31 may thus be reduced to an extremely low point in accordance with the amount of circulation allowed by the valve 301 It will thus be seen that where such a tank is used almost continuous-lv for the dipping and freezing of foodstuffs that a. relatively low and predetermined temperature may be maintained at all times.

It -will be understood that in the structure shown in Fig. 3, the relief valve 25 may be utilized and set to discharge any surplus CO2 over that required for maximum circulation, and particularly where the valve 30 is to be closed a considerable amount to temporarily retard circulation.

lVhat I claim is:

l. A rcfrigerating system, comprising a tank holding a relatively large supply of refrigerating medium, a container for receiving a charge of solid CO- i positioned adjacent said tank and forming a part of the refrigerating unit, a body of brine constantly surroundingr said C()2 container, a conduit for conducting the evaporated C()2 from said solid CO2 container into said large body of brine to cause agitation thereof, and a mass of material surrounding said large body of brine and said brine around said CO2 container, said material having relatively good holdover and conductive properties.

2. A refrigerating system, comprising a container for receiving a relatively large body of brine, an enclosed container for receiving a body of solid CO2. a brine .container surrounding said CO2 container, a circulating g means connected with said last named body of brine and surrounding said large body of brine and in heat conducting relation therewith, said circulating means terminating within said second named body of brine, means for conducting evaporated CO2 into said circulating means to cause positive circulation of the brine therethrough, and a body o stone embedding said circulating means and surrounding said two bodies of brine.

3. A refrigerating system comprising, a container` for receiving a relatively large body of brine, an enclosed container for receiving a body of solid CO2, a brine container surrounding said COzcontainer, a circulating means connected with said last named body of brine and surrounding said large body of brine and in heat conducting relation therewith, said .circulating means terminating withinsaid second named body of brine, means for conducting evaporated CO2 into said circulating means to cause positive circulation of vthe brine therethrough, and means for conducting surplusI CO2 gas into said large body of brine to cause agitation thereof.

4. A refrigerating systen'rcomprising, a containerI `for receiving a relatively large body of brine, an enclosedcontainer for receiving a body of `solid C()L a brine container Surrounding said CO3 Container, a circulating means connected with said last named body of brine and surrounding said large body of brine and in heat conducting relation therewith, said circulating means terminating within' said second named body of brine, means for conducting evaporated CO: into said circulating means to cause positive circulation of the brine therethrough, means for conducting surplus C()2 gas into said large body of brine to cause agitation thereof and means for controlling the flow of said CO2 gas into said circulating means to regulate the flow of brine therethrough.

A refrigerating system comprising a tank containing a' supply of a refrigerating incdlum, a container' adapted to receive a.

solid body of CO;` immersed within the refrigerating medium within said tank, circulating means adapt-cd' to conduct the refrigerating medium around the bottom of said C()2 container and then upwardly towards the top of the main body of refrigerant, and means for discharging the evaporated CO2 gas from said CO2 container into said circulating means to cause positive circulation of the refrigerating medium therethrough.

6. A refrigerating system comprising a' tank containing a supply of a refrigerating medium, a container adapted to receive a solid body of C()2 immersed within the refrigorating lnedinm within said tank, circulating means adapted to conduct the refrigerating mcdiuln around the bottoln of said C()2 container and then upwardly towards the top of tlfe main body of refrigerant, means for discharging the evaporated CO2 gas from said C()2 container into said circulating means to cause positive, circulation of the refrigerating medium therethrough, and means for controlling the discharge Aof CO2 gas into said circulating means to control the circulation of the refrigerating medium in said tank.

.7. A refrigerating system comprising, a refrigerating unit holding a body of refrigerating medium, a container for receiving a charge of solidified CO2 immersed therein, circulating means surrounding the bottom iart of said container and terminating in one or more circulating conduits running along the bottom of said main container and terminating in one or more substantially vertical discharge conduits, and means for discharging evaporated CO2 from said CO2 container intoy said circulating conduit or conduits for causing positive circulating of refi-ie'eratingmedium downwardly around the CO2 container and then upwardly towards the top of the main container.

8. Arefrigerating system comprising a refrigerating unit holding a body of refrigcrating medium, a container for receiving a chargeof solidified CO2 immersed therein, circulating means surrounding the bottom part. of said container and terminating in a plurality of `circulating conduits running along the bottom of said main container and `terminating in a plurality of substantially vertical discharge conduits, and means for f discharging evaporated CO2 from said CO2 container into said circulating conduit or conduits for-causing positive circulation of relrigerating medium downwardly around the CO2 container and then upwardly towards the top of the main container.

k'9. A refrigerating system comprising a main container for receiving a body of rev frigeratin'g medium, a container for receiving solid CO2 immersed-directly therein, a circulating conduit 'partially surrounding said CO2 container and terminating in one or more circulating conduits having a substantially vertical discharge portion, and gas conducting means connected with said CO2 container and passing along the inside of the said circulating conduit or conduits and terminating in said vertical discharge portion whereby to discharge gas into said circulating conduits at such vertical portions.

l0. A refrigerating system comprising aI main container for receiving a body of re frigerating medium, a container for receiving solid CO.: immersed directly therein, a circulating conduit partially surrounding said CO2 container and terminating in one or more circulating conduits having a substantially vertical discharge portion, gas conducting means connectedwith said CO2 container and passing along the inside of the said f circulating conduit or conduits and terminating in charge portion whereby to discharge gas into said circulating conduits at such vertical portions, and means for controlling the supply of CO2 through said gas conducting means to control the circulation of refrigerating medium.

InA testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

LLOYD G. COPEMAN.

said vertical dis-l 

